A US drone fired missiles at a compound used by militants in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan tribal region killing atleast seven militants, including foreigners.

A US drone fired missiles at a compound used by militants in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan tribal region killing atleast seven militants, including foreigners.

The missile targetted a house in Karikot village near Wana, the main town in North Waziristan Agency, this morning, sources said.

They said the compound was frequented by Al Qaida elements. Local residents launched a rescue effort and began clearing the rubble of the compound following the missile strike.

"The dead included some foreign militants," witnesses said. But, it was not immediately known if there were any high-value targets among those killed. Drones continued to hover over the area, hours after the attack.

This was the first time in weeks that US drones targetted South Waziristan, where a major Pakistani army offensive is underway.

US missiles have recently been hitting the adjacent North Waziristan.

On June 1, Al Qaida said that its number three 'Commander' and Osama Bin Laden's long term financier Mustafa Abu al-Yazid had been killed in one of the drone strikes in North Waziristan.